Regulator Directs Retail Supplier to Respond to Allegations Concerning Pricing

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has directed Public Power, LLC to respond to allegations made against the company by a broker concerning rates charged to customers.

The broker alleged in a letter to PURA that almost 100 of its customers have been overcharged on their electric bills and are due refunds from Public Power, and further alleged that Public Power has been slow to provide refunds.

Public Power provided the following statement to Matters:

"Public Power takes its obligations as a licensed Connecticut retail energy supplier very seriously. Our practice is to rectify any billing errors as soon as they are brought to the attention of our dedicated customer care professionals. In this instance, we have already processed reimbursements for all of the customers noted in [the] letter [to PURA] who were due a refund. Public Power remains committed to providing our customers with exceptional service and to working closely with PURA as a responsible supplier of retail energy in Connecticut."

The allegations to PURA included:

• alleged discrepancies regarding the amount and timeliness of customer reimbursements;

• alleged instances customers enrolling for one rate, but being charged another;

• alleged failure on Public Power, LLC's part to correct rates once notified or errors; and

• Public Power, LLC's alleged repeated failure to respond in a timely way to inquiries made on customers' behalf.